IDW Publishing has a new Hasbro crossover on the way, and it doesnât sound like good news for the Transformers.

CBR has the first details on âFirst Strike,â announced Thursday at the Diamond Retailer Summit in Chicago. The story starts with two issues in August, from the writing team of IDW Transformers vet Mairghread Scott & David Rodriguez (Narrative Director at Vicarious Visions, the game company best known for the âSkylandersâ franchise) and artist Max Dunbar, recently of IDWâs âMicronautsâ series.

Following 2016âs âRevolutionâ event â which saw IDWâs licensed Hasbro properties united in one shared universe â âFirst Strikeâ picks up with Earth about to join the Cybertronian Council of Worlds. That peaceful event is interrupted by Cobra, as Baron Ironblood â historically the British counterpart to Cobra Commander â has targeted all Cybertronians for termination, putting the Transformers in serious jeopardy. The G.I. Joes, led by Scarlett, and the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, stand in the way in the face of extinction â enlisting help along the way from, apparently, an unlikely ally in the form of Soundwave of the Decepticons.

While this certainly sounds like the comic book equivalent of a blockbuster summer movie, Scott said itâs also a âdeeply personal character story.â

âOne man attempts to dominate, one woman stands against him,â Scott said in a statement to CBR. âWatch as Scarlett leads her G.I. Joes on a daring mission to save all of Cybertron from their gravest threat yet. âFirst Strikeâ is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, and deeply personal character story set against the backdrop of intergalactic war with all the giant robots, cyborg ninjas, and massive explosions you could ask for.â

IDW Publishing Editor-in-Chief David Hedgecock described âFirst Strikeâ as the natural progression from what the company started in âRevolution.â

âIn âRevolution,â we united our Hasbro comic book titles into one shared universe,â Hedgecock said. âIn âFirst Strike,â we see what itâs like to live in the shadows of a massively powerful, ancient, alien race that has been warring with itself for millions of years and, in doing so, has brought death and destruction to every planet it has touched.â

âWhat, if anything, can one man do to save his planet? What depths will he go to in order to save mankind? How do you destroy all the Transformers?â

True to the âRevolutionâ spirit, it wonât just be Transformers and G.I. Joe getting involved in âFirst Strikeâ â the M.AS.K. team will also be involved.

ââFirst Strikeâ is your childhood toy box exploding onto the [comic] page: the Transformers, G.I. Joe, and M.A.S.K. teams brought together, each of them positioned on different sides of this planet-spanning conflict,â Rodriguez said in a statement. âSometimes the groups will line up along expected party lines, but other times, youâll see them being torn apart from the inside, as they are forced to face the impossible concept of one human man declaring war against Cybertron and then being really good at it.â

âFirst Strikeâ will run for three months, with six issues planned to ship on a twice-monthly schedule. Tie-ins to the event will be revealed at a later date. Covers for each issue will be illustrated by âBatman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesâ artist Freddie E. Williams II, along with multiple variants.

First Strike #1

Mairghread Scott & David Rodriguez (w) â˘ Max Dunbar (a) â˘ Freddie E. Williams II (c)
The crossover of the year is here! Earth is finally ready to officially join the Cybertronian Council of Worlds and appoint their first representative to the Council. Too bad the ceremony is interrupted by a massive explosion and the forces of COBRA! Now itâs up to Scarlett, Optimus Prime, G.I. Joe and the Autobots to save two worlds!
FC â˘ 32 pages â˘ $3.99
Expected in-store date: 8/9/17

Bullet points:

Âˇ The Hasbro crossover event of 2017 is here!
Âˇ Spiraling out of the events of Revolution, Revolutionaries, G.I. Joe, Optimus Prime and Transformers: Till All Are One!
Âˇ The explosive next chapter of the Hasbro line! Literally! There are explosions!

First Strike #2

Mairghread Scott & David Rodriguez (w) â˘ Max Dunbar (a) â˘ Freddie E. Williams II
The crossover of the year continues! Scarlett learns the truth behind Baron Ironbloodâs plan to destroy all life on Cybertron, but with her team stranded on Earth, she must turn to an unlikely ally to help her reach the besieged planet. Enter: Soundwave!
FC â˘ 32 pages â˘ $3.99
Expected in-store date: 8/23/17

Bullet points:

Âˇ The Hasbro crossover event of 2017 is here!
Âˇ As Cybertron is attacked, G.I. Joe looks to answer one of the biggest questions: Why?

Transformers! G.I. Joe! Rom! All your favorite Hasbro characters get to shine in these standalone stories setting up the biggest comics event of the year!

First, with Cybertron under siege from Baron Ironblood, it's up to Optimus Prime and Arcee to defend their homeland, and the Revolutionaries team is caught in the middle! Then, back on Earth, Rom finds himself teaming up with the world's smallest heroes, the Micronauts! Can they prevent catastrophe, or is it already too late? And, with the team divided, G.I. Joe must confront dangers both in space and Earthside. Looks like they'll need some help from M.A.S.K.!

First Strike will see old alliances break down and new surprising alliances form. Weâre introducing incredible new stories that no one will have thought possible with a licensed property. Starting with First Strike, weâre embarking on a non-stop, roller coaster thrill ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and gasping for more!

It all starts next week with First Strike #0, which sets the stage for the event, and if you want a hint of whatâs to come, check out the checklist at the back of the #0 issue which unveils some new #1s which pick up where First Strike leaves off.

Optimus Prime: First Strike #1âCover A: Sara Pitre-DurocherâSPOTLIGHT
John Barber (w) â˘ Guido Guidi (a) â˘ Sara Pitre-Durocher (c)
With Cybertron under siege by Baron Ironbloodâs forces, Optimus Prime and Arcee defend their homeland! Caught in the middle is the human/Transformer team known as the Revolutionariesâand one of them has a secret that puts everyone at risk!
*Retailers: See your order form for incentive information.
FC â˘ 32 pages â˘ $3.99
Expected in-store date: 9/20/17

G.I. JOE: First Strike #1âCover A: Drew JohnsonâSPOTLIGHT
Aubrey Sitterson (w) â˘ Ilias Kyriazis (a) â˘ Drew Johnson (c)
As Scarlett heads off to Cybertron to confront the events of First Strike, her G.I. Joe team on Earth faces an unusual enemyâŚ V.E.N.O.M.! With the help of a former M.A.S.K. member, G.I. Joe looks to put an end to Miles Mayhemâs sinister group once and for all, in the Greatest Crossover One-Shot Of All Time!
*Retailers: See your order form for incentive information.
FC â˘ 32 pages â˘ $3.99
Expected in-store date: 9/27/17

Micronauts: First Strike #1âCover A: Nelson DanielâSPOTLIGHT
Christos Gage (w) â˘ Chris Panda (a) â˘ Nelson Daniel (c)
Rom, remaining on Earth as the events of First Strike take place, finds himself in a most unusual team-upâŚ with Earthâs smallest heroes, The Micronauts! Together, these two forces must prevent a catastrophe on Earth even while Cybertron descends into chaos!
*Retailers: See your order form for incentive information.
FC â˘ 32 pages â˘ $3.99
Expected in-store date: 9/13/17

First Strike #3âCover A: Freddie E. Williams IIâSPOTLIGHT
Mairghread Scott & David Rodriguez (w) â˘ Max Dunbar (a) â˘ Freddie E. Williams II (c)
Secrets revealed! G.I. Joe, the Autobots and M.A.S.K. make their way to Cybertron to stop the siege and encounter the COBRA leader, but all is not as it seems! Will their arrival helpâor just bring more disaster?
FC â˘ 32 pages â˘ $3.99

First Strike #4âCover A: Freddie E. Williams IIâSPOTLIGHT
Mairghread Scott & David Rodriguez (w) â˘ Max Dunbar (a) â˘ Freddie E. Williams II (c)
Captured by Transformers! Even with the Autobots on their side, G.I. Joe is in trouble! Starscream doesnât trust anyone, much less armed humans who show up during Cybertronâs darkest hour and heâll do anything he can to keep G.I. Joe under controlâincluding let COBRA get even closer to their goal!
FC â˘ 32 pages â˘ $3.99

âCover A: Sara Pitre-Durocher
âCover B: Guido Guidi
John Barber (w) â˘ Guido Guidi (a) â˘ Sara Pitre-Durocher (c)
Continued from Optimus Prime: First Strike! When a bounty hunter drags one of their own into the wilds of Cybertron, the Revolutionaries join forces with Arcee and pursue! But in the midst of war, can humans and Cybertronians put aside their differences, or has the invasion of Cybertron doomed any chance at peace?
FC â˘ 32 pages â˘ $3.99
Expected in-store date: 10/18/17
*Retailer incentives:
Order 10 copies, get one free variant cover by Nick Bradshaw!
Bullet points:
Âˇ Tying into the events of First StrikeâA Hasbro Comic Book Event!
Âˇ The second part of the Optimus Prime and the Revolutionaries storyâcontinued from last monthâs Optimus Prime: First Strike #1!

The Plot To Destroy ALL Transformers Has Begun!
IDW Publishing Presents âFirst Strikeâ â A Hasbro Comic Book Event

San Diego, CA (June 19, 2017) â This August, General Joe Colton, the original G.I. JOE, will take the fight directly to the TRANSFORMERS home world of Cybertron in the Hasbro Comic Book Event of 2017 â First Strike!

This six-part, bi-weekly series will feature the talents of writers Mairghread Scott (TRANSFORMERS) and David A. Rodriguez (SKYLANDERS), with art by Max Dunbar (DUNGEONS & DRAGONS), and colors by Ander Zarate (MICRONAUTS).

Earthâs heroes have united after the explosive events of last yearâs REVOLUTION! Bringing together G.I. JOE, ROM, the MICRONAUTS, M.A.S.K.: MOBILE ARMORED STRIKE KOMMAND, ACTION MAN, and the TRANSFORMERS, Earth has never been more secure now that it has become a member of the Council of Worlds due to Optimus Primeâs leadership.

But oversight and control isnât what everyone wants; especially when that control is in the hands of alien forcesâŚ

The premiere season of post-REVOLUTION titles are heading towards their natural conclusions to make room for First Strike so fans can enjoy the action in one place (and go easy on their wallets during the event)! In addition to the main series, six additional one-shots will set the stage for the second season of the Hasbro comic universe, where fans will witness their favorite characters forming new alliances, paving the way for exciting adventures to come.

Look for Micronauts: First Strike, by Christos Gage and Chris Panda, G.I. Joe: First Strike, by Aubrey Sitterson and Ilias Kyriazis, and Optimus Prime: First Strike by John Barber and Guido Guidi in September.

M.A.S.K.: MOBILE ARMORED STRIKE KOMMAND.: First Strike, by Aubrey Sitterson and Ilias Kyriazis, Rom: First Strike, by by Christos Gage and Chris Panda, and TRANSFORMERS: First Strike by John Barber and Guido Guidi will follow in October.

These one-shots will explore more corners of the event for completest readers who just canât get enough, while also providing a glimpse into what the future will bring for our heroes when the dust settles on the scorched planet of Cybertron at the conclusion of First Strike.

IDWâs Editor-in-Chief, David Hedgecock says, âThis is what REVOLUTION has been building towards over the past year. Itâs been an exciting first season of action in the Hasbro shared universe which laid the foundation for all-new stories and adventures, but now with FIRST STRIKE, weâre shaking things up and, once again, disrupting the status quo forever. Itâs a perfect time for readers, new and old, to jump on board and join us for one raucously fun ride!â

The event kicks off in First Strike #0, now available as a GIVEAWAY in comic shops (ask your local retailer) and online at idwpublishing.com/first-strike. Inside youâll discover more of what Joe Colton is plotting against the TRANSFORMERS and what our Earthâs heroes are up against! (Available while supplies last.)

In the back of the #0 issue, youâll find a handy checklist for the entire event running through October, as well as a couple new #1s scheduled for November and December titled G.I. JOE: UNMASKED and ROM & THE MICRONAUTS, respectively. Keep checking the IDW site, as well as following IDW on social media, as more info about these exciting new titles becomes available!

About IDW
IDW Media Holdings, Inc. (OCTQX: IDWM) is a fully integrated media company, which includes publishing, games, entertainment, and the San Diego Comic Art Gallery.

IDW Publishingâs comic book and graphic novel catalog includes some of the worldâs most popular entertainment brands, including Transformers, My Little Pony, Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, and Disneyâs classic characters. At IDWâs core is its commitment to creator-owned comics including 30 Days of Night, Locke & Key, Wormwood, RagnarĂśk, V-Wars, and Archangel by bestselling sci-fi author William Gibson.

IDW Publishing is also home to the acclaimed and award-winning imprints; Top Shelf, The Library of American Comics, Yoe! Books, and Artist Editions, showcasing the greatest original art ever published in American comic books.

IDW Gamesâ diverse line-up includes the international phenomenon Machi Koro, as well as hit licensed games such as X-Files, Back to the Future, The Godfather, and TMNT.

IDW Entertainment serves as the worldwide distributor of Wynonna Earp airing on the Syfy Channel in the U.S. and is producing BBC Americaâs Dirk Gently, based on the bestseller by Douglas Adams starring Elijah Wood and Samuel Barnett.

About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. The Company's Hasbro Studios and its film label, Allspark Pictures, are building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Through its commitment to corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to make the world a better place for children and their families. Hasbro ranked No. 1 on the 2017 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the Worldâs Most Ethical CompaniesÂŽ by Ethisphere Institute for the past six years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

A Hasbro comic book event! A new era of peace is dawning as Earth formally joins the Cybertronian Council of Worlds. That isâŚ until Baron Ironblood joins Destro, Storm Shadow and other nefarious villains in a terrorist attack on Iacon! As chaos takes hold on Cybertron, it will be left to Scarlett and the rest of G.I. Joe on Earth to discover the true purpose behind the attack before both worlds descend into all-out-war!

The crossover of the year continues! Scarlett learns the truth behind Baron IronbloodĂŞs plan to destroy all life on Cybertron, but with her team stranded on Earth, she must turn to an unlikely ally to help her reach the besieged planet. Enter: Soundwave!